Allegedly Maltreated Horses Seized in Colorado

A herd of 20 allegedly maltreated horses are in the care of a rescue group after being seized by Colorado law enforcement authorities last week.

Larimer County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer John Schulz said that on March 7, Sheriff's Department deputies, posse members, and personnel from the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Protection removed the horses from a property in Livermore, Colo., because the animals did not have access to water resources. Three of the horses were also allegedly malnourished, Schulz said.

"The horses had access to food, but not to water," Schulz said. "They were eating snow to get water."

Schulz said that the horses were placed in the care of the Harmony Equine Center, a private nonprofit facility located near Franktown, Colo., that rehabilitates neglected and maltreated horses removed from their owners by law enforcement authorities.

The horses' owner Carl Preyss was subsequently charged with 20 counts of animal cruelty, said Schulz.

Preyss was unavailable for comment.

Schulz said that county and state law enforcement personnel had been advising Preyss about appropriate care of his animals since last year. The removal took place as a last resort, Schulz said.

"We take seizing property seriously," Schulz said. "But at some point you have to do what's right for the animals."

Preyss is slated to appear in court in connection with the charges on May 6, Schulz said.